Computers

These flash drives really gained momentum quickly. I put important files on my
Crucial Gizmo USB Flash Drive
and then put into my safety deposit box, in case there's ever a disaster at my home.

It works right out of the package without having to install anything (XP and Mac Mini tested only). Just put into your USB port and your computer reads it as a drive letter to copy files to or from. Works very well with both pc and mac and I use to to transfer files across the room without the nightmare of networking (I have a mac and pc in my office).

Click Here To View the Crucial Gizmo USB Flash Drive

A quality "all-in-one" (printer, copier, scanner, fax) machine is all you really need. Although my 2510 model isn't on the market anymore (nothing wrong with it, it's just what these people do....stop models from being produced to give them cooler sounding names and slight improvements I did find what appears to be its upgrade, called the HP Photosmart C4180 All-in-One Printer Scanner Copier. Notice, however that the fax has been removed.

It's probably safe to assume that there's no need for a fax now that people are learning how to scan, email, and print documents. I haven't used a fax in ages and it's usually only done now with companies who are still newbies to the ways of technology.

I've been happy with my all-in-one HP and have never had a second of trouble with it. Neither should you, since this is the area in which they excel. Yes, they've hit the computer market....but, like an eager 2nd grade boy, they cut in line. They merged with real computer companies (my first pc was a packard-bell) and then slapped their brand-name recognition on the emerging models and then learned from them. Not to take away from their brilliance, of course, as they truly do printers right (not to mention I use a tricked out HP desktop in my home office

But I digress. Get a quality (I repeat...quality) all-in-one to save space and get all your crap done effectively and efficiently.

Click Here To View the HP Photosmart C4180 All-in-One Printer Scanner Copier

It's great when a computer is your friend and not your enemy. Altough I use my PC for everything else, I would never trade my Mac Mini for editing my videos. It's brilliant and extremely user-friendly and, unlike my very powerful PC, never crashes trying to edit video footage.

It comes with iMovie, the editing software, pre-installed and requires just a little playing around to learn.

As you can see in the video, it's mega-small and takes up no space. The Apple Cinema Monitor is both PC and Mac compatible, but is a separate purchase. Definitely the best monitor I've had to date.

The Mac Mini offers a combo-drive, which means that you can both play and record DVD and CD discs. The pre-installed software makes recording DVD's very easy after you've edited your video.

Do NOT get the Mac Bluetooth Mouse, however, as it is NOT groovy. Their Bluetooth Keyboard is a must-have, though.

Click Here To View the Mac Mini

I never seem to be completely happy with my mouse or keyboard and keep thinking that the next generation will be the fix. I'm still working on the mouse (I'm testing the laser ones right now) but did stumble on a new keyboard that just came out called the Logitech G15 Keyboard.

The thing I love the most and what has really sold me is that every key letter/number/symbol lights up with a groovy blue light (powered by the USB cable), so when it's dim or dark in my area I can see the keyboard, yet the lighted letter remain unobtrusive.

Please note: the video does NOT do this thing justice at all. I tried three times to capture its beauty and after the video compression, et al, this is what I came up with. The letters are a beautiful, sci-fi, blue (just bright enough while not too bright). What I didn't capture on the last video attempt was the extra length of the keyboard due to all the macro buttons (a gamer's delight, i promise!). I also didn't show the groovy pop-up display, since I don't use it and it doesn't merge well with my current setup (my issue, not the keyboard's). Take a look at the pics in the link below to see the daylight versions.